27th annual celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. holiday

1983: The U.S. Senate votes 78-22 to approve a bill establishing a national holiday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. The legislation, already approved two months earlier in the House of Representatives by a 338-90 vote, would be signed into law by President Ronald Reagan on Nov. 2, 1983.

National Archives and Records Administration

Photos

1983: The U.S. Senate votes 78-22 to approve a bill establishing a national holiday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. The legislation, already approved two months earlier in the House of Representatives by a 338-90 vote, would be signed into law by President Ronald Reagan on Nov. 2, 1983.

National Archives and Records Administration

A series of events honoring the life of civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. begins Tuesday with a march and wreath-laying ceremony.

King would have been 84 years old Tuesday. People in New Orleans and surrounding communities will honor the legendary leader by hosting marches and days of service. Here is a list of some of those events: